Morning journal and courier., 1887-04-27
CHARLES SUMMERS KINDNESS.
1t was the Means of Saving One Man
From a Drunkard's Grave.

HI was tine means Oh saving one Ian
From Drunkard's Grave.
From the Boston Record.l
"Do I remember Andrew J. Roberts9'
quoth an old State politician. eyes. He
had a checkered career, poor man. But
with all his shortcomings he was bright,
indeed a brilliant, man. He was great
politician years ago, ,..and not only took ex-
traordinary interest in the great questions
Of the day, but knew intimately all the
prominent public men. He was well
read, intelligent, and a good talker,
but he had failing. He could not
be depended upon, and at times was help
less.
F'He used to hang around the State Re-
publican headquarters from morning until
night throughout the campaign, and cam
paigns lasted in those days nearly five
months. It was during the anti-slavery
days, when everybody was at the highest
pitch of excitement. I remember one day
in particular, when a number of prominent
politicians were assembled at headquarters,
among them Charles Sumner and Henry
Wilson. Sumner was in the rear room,
Wilson in the front. In walked Roberts.
He talked in a loud voice and disturbed the
whole assembly. Stepping into the rear
room, he spied Sumner in earnest conversation
with a friend. Giving him tremendous
slap on the shoulder, he shouted D.
you, Sumner; how are you? Why don't you
be as hearty and genial as your friend Will
sona
The effect of this rough handling of Sum-
ner can readily be imagined by those who
remember or have read of the dignifed and
scholarly man. It was not only shock, but
an insult. Sumner turned as white as
sheet, but said nothing. He realized Rob-
erts' condition and wisely kept his peace.
Roberts was severely reprimanded and turned
out of the room.
cit was not long after this that Roberts
came to want and grief. He was actually
destitute. He looked hungry and was poorly
clad. In despair he came to me one day for
work or advice. The big tears rolled down
his cheeks as he told me how destitute and
degraded he was and how he longed to re-
form. l told him I had no work and advised
him to go to Sumner.
"'Go to Sunners' he said. ooh, no, I in
suited Sumner short time ago. can't co.
Yes you can,' said. go to him Just
as you have come to me. Tell him frankly
the whole story and he will help you.'
"Roberts did as I advised. About ten
o'clock the next morning he buttoned his
shabby coat around his neck to hide his fan
mel shirt and made his way to the man
whom he had grossly insulted but a short
time before. Sumner, it is well known,
was always a late riser and seldom break
tasted before eleven O'Clock. He received
the unfortunate man kindly, and inviting
him to breakfast, listened patiently to his
story. Roberts told rue afterward that that
was the first square meal he had eaten for
a long time. In less than two days Rob-
erts was given a position in the navy yard
and thenceforth was a different man.
When he told me later his experience with
Sumner that morning his eyes filed with
tears and his voice trembled with emotion
1t was a magnanimous act on the part O.
Sumner and an outward expression of his
true character.
reer. Only few months ago he delivered
one of the best temperance speeches 1 ever
heard in my life. Up to the day of his
death, which occurred quite recently, he
had great veneration for the memory of
Sumner, the man who was so kind and
generous to him in trouble"